Sport Circuit

By Ewan Jackson

In an international career spanning over two decades, which saw him take over 700 test wickets, James Anderson bowled his final delivery for the English test side as they clinched an opening win to their three match test series against the West Indies. It was Lord’s which provided the fitting final setting as English cricket celebrated the career finale of its greatest ever test bowler. Looking back on the astounding achievements of ‘the Burnley Express’ and the prolific record he had in the test format of the game, there must be a question asked on whether now is the right time for England to move on from Anderson. 

With selectors now looking ahead to an Ashes in Australia at the end of 2025, many believe the decision to move on from Anderson has been made too abruptly in the rebuild of the English test set up. Understandably, there is a consensus that the focus should now be on the integration of youth into English test cricket. The intent to instill a dynamic and multi-faceted bowling attack, coupled with a fearless and heavy-scoring batting line up is there for all to see, and you will be hard-pressed to find someone who would disagree with that statement. But this is James Anderson. The man who could you get a wicket on any pitch in any conditions. A man who has spearheaded the England attack so brilliantly and so skillfully for such a long time now. Tendulkar, Ponting, Sangakkara and De Villiers; just a few of the greats who have fallen foul to the bowling of James Anderson. All names on a long list of batsmen that have found themselves victim to the unplayable deliveries that he has produced time and time again for county and country. 

The summer of 2003 saw Anderson make his test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s. Taking five wickets, the Lancashire bowler burst onto the scene of international cricket, earning himself a place in the side to play South Africa. This marked the start of a tumultuous few years for Anderson with poor form and niggling injuries continuing to plague the early stages of his career. Anderson’s relationship with England first began to flourish after the decision to appoint Peter Moores as new head coach in 2007. Re-integrated back into the setup, the series against India is where Anderson truly established himself as the leader of England’s attack for years to come. Never looking back, Anderson and England enjoyed a hugely successful relationship together which reaped great success both domestically and abroad.  

For those questioning the decision to move on from Anderson, the frustration will stem from why selectors have not fully committed to the inclusion of youth. For the next test we will see the inclusion of Mark Wood to replace Anderson, a move that has seen many fans scratching their heads. With Wood and Chris Woakes aging members of the squad, many will feel that the bowling line-up fails to justify the omittance of Anderson and fails to adequately plan for the long-term future of England’s pace attack. Gus Atkinson’s brilliant debut, taking an emphatic 12 wickets across two innings, will no doubt please the ECB. However, the failure to go with other younger options in their bowling line up, to support and build around Atkinson for years to come, is a strange and potentially backwards decision. With a fascinating future ahead for English Cricket, one thing for sure is that the task in replacing Anderson will be extremely difficult, if not impossible. James ‘Jimmy’ Anderson. A legend of the game who will go down as the greatest to ever do it for England.